20 cool facts about otters:
They are the smallest mammals in North America
They belong to the weasel family
They live on every continent except Antarctica and Australia
The smallest type of otter is the Asian small-clawed otter,weighing from 3-11 pounds
Their eyes and nostrils are positioned near the top of their heads so they can see and breathe while mostly submerged
The largest otter species is the giant otter of South America, growing up to 6 feet long and weighing 75 pounds
They can swim at speeds up to 7 miles per hour.
River otters can dive down to 60 feet below the surface.
North American river otters can hold their breath underwater for up to 8 minutes.
Sea otters usually stay submerged for around 5 minutes while hunting.
Otters have a high metabolic rate and need to eat 15% to 25% of their body weight daily.
Their teeth are twice as strong as human teeth, allowing them to crush hard shells.
Baby otters open their eyes when they are about 30 to 40 days old
Each individual otter has unique pale markings on its throat and chin, acting like a fingerprint.
Otters love to play, sliding down mud banks, snow, and ice just for the absolute joy of it.
Historical overhunting for the fur trade nearly drove sea otters to total extinction by the early 20th century.
International protections established in 1911 helped save sea otters from disappearing forever.
Today, otters face modern threats from ocean pollution, oil spills, toxic algae, and habitat loss.
Otters can twist and turn with remarkable agility underwater, mimicking aerial acrobatics.